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Erasmus Darwin Academy

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Latest News

Summer Water Safety Our schools offer regular reminders to our students about personal safety – whether that be in relation to roads, cycling, train tracks, or summer fires – as part of our shared responsibility with parents to make sure our students keep safe and are sufficiently community-minded to keep those around them safe too. Added to this, our schools offer water safety reminders, and with recent reports of swimming in Chasewater, we are keen to reiterate the need to avoid taking risks in this area. Certainly, we have already pushed the messages that most parents would have made about the dangers of entering open water. This could be cold water shock, hidden hazards beneath the surface, or strong currents, and they all bring potentially life-threatening consequences. Recently, Staffordshire Police warned that: “While it may be tempting to cool off during warm weather, entering open water can be extremely dangerous. Entering the water can place not only those involved at risk, but also members of the emergency services who may be required to respond. We are asking parents and guardians to speak with their children and young people about the dangers of swimming in open water and the importance of following safety signage around Chasewater.” Toph Briggs, our Trust Safeguarding Lead Professional, echoed these sentiments: “As teachers and as parents we need to remind our children again, and again, and again, of the risks that are out there, and with the summer sun making open water swimming appealing, it is vital we make out children aware that it is not safe to go swimming in open water without due supervision. We would urge all parents to remind their children of this so that we have everyone back with us safe and sound in September.” [...]

Sixth Form & Year 11 Exam Results 2026 Our secondary schools – Erasmus Darwin Academy, Queen’s Croft High School and The Friary School – will be open this week and next to student as they collect their Sixth Form and Year 11 results. The Sixth Form results come out on Thursday 13 August and the Year 11 Results are distributed on Thursday 20 August. Staff will be on hand to support with places in universities, Sixth Form, colleges, apprenticeships and other post-school options. Students and parents can liaise with staff on Results Day or email the main school office address to receive further information. Matt Allman, Chief Education Officer, said; “Our secondary schools are superb in terms of careers and aspirations and have dedicated teams available to support individuals with their next steps in life. The journey through each of our schools is very much to set up students for their steps into adult life and we are keeping everything crossed that each Primitas student gets what they deserve comes Results Day.” [...]

Commitment of Sixth Form students hailed by Headteacher at The Friary School Friary Sixth Form students attended their Results Dya to see superb results across the board. Amongst fantastic progress rates across all abilities, there were also a strong of top grades pilled out including: Sebastien Menaut – A, A, A* Matthew Allen – A, A, A, Distinction Kimi Leigh – A, A, A, A Akito Tokiwa-Smith – A, A, A, A Amelia Hurst – A, A, A, A Amelia Long – A, A, C Calum Finch – A, A, A, A Timothy Huskisson – A, A, A, A Joshua Douglas-Boisson – A, A, A, Distinction* Harry Battams – A, A, A, A As well as those landing university places, the school’s apprenticeship programme also saw students secure positions across the engineering, legal, surveying, auditing and accounting sectors, as well with the civil service. Mark Drury, Headteacher, said: “I am immensely proud that the commitment shown by our students, their families and our staff has been rewarded with these excellent results. Given that education is about more than qualifications, this year group also made an outstanding contribution to school life, raising thousands of pounds for local charities, volunteering in the community, and embracing residential and field trips both in the UK and overseas. Even so, it is wonderful to see them conclude their time at Friary with such impressive academic success.” Andrea Garner-Thorpe, Head of Sixth Form, added: “We’re delighted to see so many Sixth Form students successfully move onto high-quality university courses. Equally, we’re very pleased to see others secured highly competitive apprenticeship opportunities, including several very prestigious degree apprenticeships. We’re looking forward to students coming back and telling us how they’re getting on.” [...]

Erasmus Darwin Academy Sixth Form Exam Success Sixth Form students enjoyed their Sixth Form Results Day at Erasmus Darwin Academy after achieving a storing of strong results in their academic and vocational courses. All students at the school have now secured places at university of apprenticeships, with 23% of all grades at either A* or A or equivalent, while 45% were between A* and B. A number of students achieved all A* or A grades, including: Charlie Elcock Jack Davis Ethan Donnelly Matty Hutchings Scarlett Robinson Millie Ryde Jessica Sangha Phil Walklate, Headteacher, said: “This cohort have achieved a fantastic set of outcomes – but most importantly, they are all leaving as good people and have secured their next steps. Throughout their Sixth Form journey, they have all given back to the academy in many ways and it has been inspirational to watch them grow as young people. These results reflect a huge team effort from every member of staff, and we wish all of our Year 13 leavers the very best in their next steps.” Matt Allman, Chief Education Officer, added: “It is fantastic to see the ambition of school leaders and staff come through in these results. The academy is always looking to improve – and it is this ambition that make sit a greta school to be at – but this is a great moment to pause, reflect on the hard-work and to celebnrate these wonderful achievements. Huge congratulations to the students, staff and families involved in this success story.” [...]

Highfields Primary Academy Earns Primary Futures Gold Careers Award One of our Trust’s primary schools, Highfields Primary Academy, has been awarded the prestigious the Primary Futures Gold Award for their work on careers and aspirations with their students. The honour recognises promotion for careers education and inspiring youngsters to explore their options for work in the future. A key factor in securing the award was the academy’s recent Career Week which saw volunteers from a range of professions visit the school to share their experiences with pupils. Children had the opportunity to hear first-hand from many different industries and backgrounds, learning about the skills, determination and opportunities that help to shape different careers. Mark Wilkes, Headteacher, said: “We are very proud to receive this award in recognition of this important work. We were incredibly blessed by the number of people who were prepared to share their careers with us and inspire our young people. The enthusiasm and generosity shown by our visitors made a real difference. By sharing their personal journeys, they helped our children understand that there are many different pathways to success and encouraged them to believe in their own potential.” [...]

Work Experience Developments in Secondary Schools As our secondary schools prepare for the next academic year, significant changes are being introduced to how work experience is delivered to young people. The Government’s ambition is for all students to access the equivalent of two weeks of meaningful work experience before the end of Key Stage 4. This marks a shift away from relying solely on a traditional one-week placement in Year 10. Schools will be encouraged to provide a range of experiences, including employer-led projects, workplace visits, hybrid activities and structured placements. The new approach is designed to give students earlier exposure to the world of work, with experiences beginning during Key Stage 3. Within this, there is a major focus of the reforms is ensuring that all young people, including those with SEND and other barriers to participation, have access to high-quality opportunities. Schools are also expected to strengthen links with local employers to create more meaningful and relevant workplace encounters. The changes align with the revised Gatsby Benchmarks and updated careers guidance issued by the Department for Education. Our schools’ careers leaders will play an increasingly important role in coordinating experiences and tracking student participation and supporters believe the new model will better prepare young people for future education, employment and training by helping them develop essential workplace skills and informed career aspirations. Matt Allman, Chief Education Officer, said: “The new standards present challenges to our schools in terms of securing placements, adapting to lost curriculum time, and combining safeguarding and welfare with follow-up work on aspirations and qualifications. However, our schools are embracing the expectations and we are looking forward to hearing how our student get on within the new scheme.” For more information, the following BCC news article – here – relays the experience of some Year 10 students who have already taken on work experience placements. [...]

Delay to Year 6 SATs Results Our Trust’s primary schools have been informing parents that there will be a delay to our Year 6 children receiving their SATs results this summer. The results were due on Tuesday 7 July 2026. However, Pearson Education Limited, the provider responsible for administering, marking, and returning Key Stage 2 results to schools has informed the Department for Education of a delay affecting the national system used to make results available to schools. The SATs results will now be available on Thursday 16 July 2026. This will result in primary school staff working through the first weeks of the holiday to review outcomes, evaluate potential re-marks, and complete administrational duties. Mark Wilkes, Deputy CEO, said: “We have been told by the Department for Education that the delay is not related to the quality of the tests or the accuracy of pupils’ results. Test papers have been marked in line with usual processes. This will not impact your child’s transition to secondary school and no action is required from parents or pupils. We will share results with you as quickly as possible after we receive them on 16 July. “ [...]

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

The Guardian - ‘Work is good for you’: how UK scheme could help tackle youth mental health crisis...
Absolutely right - and we need to make sure our young people understand this...

‘Work is good for you’: how UK scheme could help tackle youth mental health crisis

Paid employment can boost confidence and wellbeing, says Pat McFadden as jobs guarantee scheme gets under way

www.theguardian.com

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Lichfield Live - Parents urged to take steps to help children stay safe when they return to school...
Worth every parent - no matter how old their child - remind their children to make their way to school safely - both themselves, and others...

Parents urged to take steps to help children stay safe when they return to school - Lichfield Live®

A NEW guide is aiming to help children starting a new school in September to stay safe. The Staffordshire Safer ...

lichfieldlive.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

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; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Lichfield Live - Free gardening workshop for youngsters puts focus on autumn colours...
Lovely opportunity - would your child enjoy it ?

Free gardening workshop for youngsters puts focus on autumn colours - Lichfield Live®

Youngsters are being invited to explore autumn colours at a gardening workshop in Shenstone.

lichfieldlive.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Lichfield Live - The Bridge Academy hails outcomes for GCSE students...
Delighted to hear that the great work here has been rewarded... All children deserve success - even when it can be a more roundabout journey...

The Bridge Academy hails outcomes for GCSE students - Lichfield Live®

Students and staff at The Bridge Academy in Lichfield are celebrating their GCSE results.

lichfieldlive.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

The Guardian - Leaders attack ‘demotivating’ plan to make pupils who fail GCSEs retake Maths and English ...
Desperately needs reform - good argument for a practical Maths qualification - alongside GCSE...

Leaders attack ‘demotivating’ plan to make pupils who fail GCSEs retake maths and English

Government confirms plan for ‘stepping stone’ qualification in England as students face retaking maths or English after failure to achieve grade 4

www.theguardian.com

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - Five key takeaways from GCSE results day 2026...
Always lesson to learn from a set of results... Never any laurels to rest on... Always more to do...

Five key takeaways from GCSE results day 2026

Resits are up, the gap between boys and girls has shrunk and England's regional divide has widened.

www.bbc.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - Vaping could lead to health harm in children and young people...
Schools campaign against vapes but it is vital parents guard against their children taking up the habit...

Vaping could lead to health harm in children and young people, doctors warn

A Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has published a report with concerns vaping is a gateway to smoking

www.bbc.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Roles at Erasmus Darwin Academy available - well worth looking at...

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - Students get GCSE and BTEC grades as app launches for 750 schools in England...
Interesting national picture - averages grades, post-COVID, etc...

Students get GCSE and BTec grades as app launches for 750 schools in England

Some pupils in England will be able to see their grades on their phones from 11:00 BST on Thursday.

www.bbc.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Lichfield Live - Students celebrate GCSE success at The Friary School...
Great new Headteacher and the exceptional exam results just continue... Huge congrats to the students, families and staff at the school...

Students celebrate GCSE success at The Friary School - Lichfield Live®

Students at The Friary School have been celebrating "excellent" GCSE grades.

lichfieldlive.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Lichfield Live - Help on offer for local students collecting GCSE results...
Lots of support out there - certainly at our schools - but also via Staffordshire County Council...

Help on offer for local students collecting GCSE results - Lichfield Live®

Students collecting their GCSE results are being reminded of the help available to them.

lichfieldlive.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

HUGE CONGRATS to the GCSE-level students at EDA, Queen's Croft & The Friary...
Great to go around the schools this morning and see lots of happy faces...

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - Competition for degree apprenticeships quadruples in three years...
No surprise - an amazing opportunity - income rather than university fees - and something our schools push with our students...

Competition for degree apprenticeships quadruples in three years

The popularity of degree apprenticeships has grown as the cost of university has come under increased scrutiny.

www.bbc.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

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